Jeremiah 20
7 O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.
Jeremiah was called of God and knew the call on his life more than any other prophet in the Old Testament.
Before he was made in the womb, he was known of God. He was anointed to speak the mind of God. God made him this promise. “I have made you a defensed, impregnable city, against the priests and all the people. They will fight against you, but will not prevail.”
Then, these amazing words. “Speak, lest I confound you before the people”.
No man was more sure of his calling, and God called him to speak of destruction and desolation, but if he should doubt, he shall be confounded. I.e. If you trust me you will never be confounded, but if you will doubt your call from Me, I’ll confound you before men. This is crucial in today’s world. I have been preaching for over 50 years, but still remember the day, time and place where God called me. I have never once doubted that call. If a person cannot say to God, “I’m in your will and your place”, then you will be confounded.
One needs to start right at home where the first call was. Don’t waste your time in front of TV, but return to your closet and meet God again in prayer. Then enter the pulpit with God’s Word, and every hungry person within a “100 miles” will come to hear you preach.
There in prison while he was tortured, Jeremiah hits his low. He says that God had deceived him. He is tired of being mocked. All that pass by held him in derision. So Jeremiah says, “I will not make mention of His name anymore” – and he decided to quit. But why could he not quit? God’s Word was like a fire, burning in his bones, compelling him to speak. God’s Spirit came upon him and revived him.
You might be in the same spot. God called you, but today you are discouraged and you need to return to your first calling – with “fire in your bones”.